Jurgen Klopp turned a host of Liverpool players into true stars, but he laments not being able to do so with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who he thinks could have been one of the best.
Waking up on a Wednesday morning to almost an hour of Klopp talking Liverpool was a treat, and there’s plenty to dissect from the German’s conversation with former Red Peter Crouch.
Klopp regrets losing Philippe Coutinho when he did, as well as not being able to get the most out of Oxlade-Chamberlain, whose consistent injury woes were the only thing holding him back from superstardom.
For a place in the final with Xabi Alonso 👀Who gets the nod?
Slot or Klopp?
Arne Slot vs Jurgen Klopp
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Jurgen Klopp recalls working with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at Liverpool
The German covered everything from the early years at Anfield to the trophy-winning period that stands out as the best time in modern Liverpool history.
Liverpool signed Oxlade-Chamberlain from Arsenal in 2017 for £35 million. He spent six years on Merseyside as a valued element of the Klopp machine, winning the Premier League and Champions League.
He was a loyal servant and a player who showed flashes of insane quality and the kind of work rate Klopp placed above all else. That’s why he’s a signing the 58-year-old still looks back on fondly.
Appearing on That Peter Crouch Podcast, he said: “But we all know Bobby was there obviously but the other two we had to buy other really good players, Oxlade.
Jurgen Klopp gives instructions to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
“So they always gave us an extra something. Ox, with his dynamism, with his speed, without the injuries, Ox would have gone through the roof 100%.”
Klopp’s words ring true. Watching Oxlade-Chamberlain at Liverpool, you always felt there was another level to get to. On many occasions, it felt like he was on the precipice of taking that next step, but he couldn’t stay fit.
The player and manager had a great relationship on Merseyside, as is mostly the case with the larger-than-life figure that is Klopp.
Not long ago, Oxlade-Chamberlain described the fear factor with Klopp compared to Arsene Wenger. But he did so with admiration. The way Klopp could form bonds with his players is a huge reason as to why he was — and still is — so revered at Liverpool.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox